Cammy Bell knows a poor January window has been a big part of Rangers ' domestic downfall.
But the former Ibrox stopper says Ross Wilson and the recruitment team can't foot all the blame - because their title-winners from last season haven't stepped up to the mark.
It's been a season of two conflicting stories for Rangers who go into Thursday's clash with Braga hoping to make the Europa League semi-finals.
Domestically though they are now six points behind Celtic in the league with only the Scottish Cup offering them a realistic chance of silverware.
Gers were hoping January loan deals for Aaron Ramsey, Amad Diallo and James Sands would help them defend the title but they've since gone from six clear to six behind.
However Bell says it's unfair to pin all the blame on the January new boys.
The retired stopper says the key men from last season haven't hit the same heights - and should take just as much blame as the new arrivals.
Speaking about the clash with Braga, Bell said on Go Radio: "They've got to play with passion and I'm sure they will. It's a big opportunity for a lot of these guys.
"To get to the semi-final of the Europa League is a hard thing to do. Some of these guys might never get the opportunity again so it's a huge game.
"Looking back at the January transfers, the loan players coming in haven't worked.
Sands finds himself on the bench, it hasn't worked out for Diallo.
"Even Ramsey, it's taken him until Sunday to start a big game for them and he couldn't last the whole game.
"The transfers haven't worked, but also what I would say is, from last season to this season, I don't think the players who are there have hit the same highs.
"That's a big part of it. You look at recruitment, but also the players they've maintained and kept, they haven't done what they did last season.
"They haven't performed to that same level and that's where it's hurt them."
